Value per Statistical Life at the Sub-National Level as a Tool for Assessing Public Health and Environmental Problems.

This article aims to estimate the Value per Statistical Life (VSL) and Value per Statistical Life Year (VSLY) at the sub-national level, which can be used to calculate the economic impact of health and environmental problems. We estimate the value of life for Mexico and its 32 states, grouped into 5 regions for 2021. We used the OECD's guidelines on "Mortality Risk Valuation in Environment, Health and Transport Policies," which applies the measure of Willingness to Pay (WTP) and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). Mexico's overall VSL of $2 000 000 USD in 2021 showcases the value placed on human life. The variation in VSL across the 32 states, with Chiapas having the lowest VSL of $400 000 USD and Mexico City boasting the highest VSL of $3 300 000 USD highlights the different levels of regional development and people's willingness to pay to reduce the risk of mortality. Our estimates of VSL and VSLY have the potential to contribute to the evaluation of public policies in the fields of health and the environment. Monetizing human life through these estimates can offer valuable insights to policymakers at both the national and sub-national levels. By quantifying the economic value placed on human life, this paper helps decision-makers prioritize investments, assess the cost-effectiveness of interventions, and allocate resources to maximize societal well-being.

Malaria in areas under mining activity in the Amazon: A review

ABSTRACT Deforestation and high human mobility due to mining activities have been key to the increase in malaria cases in the Americas. Here, we review the epidemiological and control aspects of malaria in the Amazon mining areas. Epidemiological evidence shows: 1) a positive correlation between illegal mining activity and malaria incidence, mostly in the Amazon region; 2) most Brazilian miners are males aged 15-29 years who move between states and even countries; 3) miners do not fear the disease and rely on medical care, diagnosis, and medication when they become ill; 4) illegal mining has emerged as the most reported anthropogenic activity within indigenous lands and is identified as a major cause of malaria outbreaks among indigenous people in the Amazon; and 5) because mining is largely illegal, most areas are not covered by any healthcare facilities or activities, leading to little assistance in the diagnosis and treatment of malaria. Our review identified five strategies for reducing the malaria incidence in areas with mining activities: 1) reviewing legislation to control deforestation and mining expansion, particularly in indigenous lands; 2) strengthening malaria surveillance by expanding the network of community health agents to support rapid diagnosis and treatment; 3) reinforcing vector control strategies, such as the use of insecticide-treated nets; 4) integrating deforestation alerts into the national malaria control program; and 5) implementing multi-sectoral activities and providing prompt assistance to indigenous populations. With this roadmap, we can expect a decrease in malaria incidence in the Amazonian mining areas in the future.

Processos de vulnerabilização em comunidades camponesas afetadas pela transposição do rio São Francisco em Sertânia / Vulnerability processes in peasant communities affected by the transposition of the São Francisco river in Sertânia

Resumo O projeto da transposição do rio São Francisco é parte do conjunto de políticas de acesso à água no semiárido brasileiro e tem incidido sobre os processos de desterritorialização e vulnerabilização na região. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os processos de vulnerabilização em comunidades camponesas, decorrentes das obras da transposição do rio São Francisco. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, com aplicação de entrevistas semiestruturadas e realização de oficina com camponeses atingidos pela transposição no município de Sertânia (PE). O enfoque teórico-metodológico foi a matriz da reprodução social. Foram identificados diversos processos de vulnerabilização material e simbólica, além de agravos à saúde, como a destruição de reservatórios de água, poços artesianos, cacimbas e terras férteis, a desterritorialização, a incidência de doenças respiratórias agudas, decorrente das escavações para construção dos canais, e processos relativos à saúde mental, relacionando-se à reprodução social e ao modo de vida. A leitura sistêmica ancorada na autoconsciência e na conduta dos processos de vulnerabilização identificou uma ruptura do modo de vida tradicional e efeitos à saúde física e mental dos habitantes da região. Os efeitos negativos desse processo retroagem sobre as vulnerabilidades históricas nos territórios afetados, produzindo novas fragilidades nessas comunidades.

Abstract The project for the transposition of the São Francisco River is part of the set of policies for access to water in the Brazilian semi-arid region and has focused on the processes of deterritorialization and vulnerability in the region. The objective of this study was to analyze the processes of vulnerability in peasant communities, resulting from the transposition of the São Francisco River. This is a qualitative study, applying semi-structured interviews and carrying out a workshop with peasants affected by the transposition in the municipality of Sertânia (PE). The theoretical-methodological approach was the social reproduction matrix. Several processes of material and symbolic vulnerability, in addition to health problems, were identified, such as the destruction of water reservoirs, artesian wells, waterholes and fertile land, deterritorialization, the incidence of acute respiratory diseases, resulting from excavations for the construction of canals, and processes related to mental health, relating to social reproduction and to the way of life. The systemic reading anchored in self-awareness and in the conduct of vulnerability processes identified a break in the traditional way of life and effects on physical and mental health of the region inhabitants. The negative effects of this process retroact on historical vulnerabilities in the affected territories, producing new fragilities in these communities.

The Present and Future of Insect Biodiversity Conservation in the Neotropics: Policy Gaps and Recommendations.

Emerging evidence suggests that insect populations may be declining at local and global scales, threatening the sustainability of the ecosystem services that insects provide. Insect declines are of particular concern in the Neotropics, which holds several of the world's hotspots of insect endemism and diversity. Conservation policies are one way to prevent and mitigate insect declines, yet these policies are usually biased toward vertebrate species. Here, we outline some key policy instruments for biodiversity conservation in the Neotropics and discuss their potential contribution and shortcomings for insect biodiversity conservation. These include species-specific action policies, protected areas and Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs), sectoral policies, biodiversity offsetting, market-based mechanisms, and the international policy instruments that underpin these efforts. We highlight that although these policies can potentially benefit insect biodiversity indirectly, there are avenues in which we could better incorporate the specific needs of insects into policy to mitigate the declines mentioned above. We propose several areas of improvement. Firstly, evaluating the extinction risk of more Neotropical insects to better target at-risk species with species-specific policies and conserve their habitats within area-based interventions. Secondly, alternative pest control methods and enhanced monitoring of insects in a range of land-based production sectors. Thirdly, incorporating measurable and achievable insect conservation targets into international policies and conventions. Finally, we emphasise the important roles of community engagement and enhanced public awareness in achieving these improvements to insect conservation policies.

Cooperação intermunicipal na Política Nacional de Meio Ambiente: as capacidades estatais importam? / Cooperación intermunicipal en la Política Ambiental Nacional: ¿importan las capacidades del estado? / Intermunicipal cooperation in the National Environmental Policy: do state capacities matter?

Resumo O desenho institucional do Sistema Nacional de Meio Ambiente (Sisnama) atribui aos municípios responsabilidades complexas e, muitas vezes, inviáveis em termos financeiros, técnicos e operacionais. Diante disso, a cooperação surge como uma alternativa para enfrentar a ausência de recursos e a incapacidade de alguns municípios executarem, de maneira isolada, as diretrizes previstas pela Política Nacional de Meio Ambiente (PNMA). Esta pesquisa examina a relação entre cooperação intermunicipal e capacidade estatais municipais na implementação da política ambiental no Brasil, visando identificar se essas capacidades, em suas diferentes dimensões, têm características relevantes para os municípios que participam de consórcios públicos na área de meio ambiente. Com o uso de dados secundários, a pesquisa empregou uma abordagem quantitativa, por meio da análise de regressão logística, investigando a incidência dos arranjos cooperativos intermunicipais para 4.479 municípios brasileiros. Os resultados encontrados demonstraram, em linhas gerais, que, na implementação em nível local da PNMA, uma alta capacidade administrativa e maior desempenho fiscal tendem a diminuir os incentivos para o município cooperar com outros, enquanto a disponibilidade de capacidade técnica, político-relacional e institucional aumenta a probabilidade de cooperação.

Resumen El diseño institucional del Sistema Nacional Ambiental asigna responsabilidades complejas a los municipios, muchas veces inviables en términos financieros, técnicos y operativos. Ante esto, la cooperación surge como una alternativa para enfrentar la falta de recursos y la incapacidad de algunos municipios para ejecutar los lineamientos previstos por la Política Nacional Ambiental (PNMA) de manera aislada. Esta investigación examina la relación entre la cooperación intermunicipal y las capacidades estatales municipales en la implementación de la política ambiental en Brasil, con el objetivo de identificar si las capacidades estatales, en sus diferentes dimensiones, tienen características relevantes para los municipios que participan en consorcios públicos en el área de medio ambiente. Con base en el uso de datos secundarios, la investigación emplea un enfoque cuantitativo, a través del análisis de regresión logística, investigando la incidencia de los arreglos cooperativos intermunicipales para 4.479 municipios brasileños. Los resultados encontrados demuestran, en términos generales, que en la implementación a nivel local de la PNMA, una alta capacidad administrativa y un mayor desempeño fiscal tienden a reducir los incentivos para que el municipio coopere con otros, mientras que la disponibilidad de recursos técnicos, la capacidad político-relacional e institucional aumenta la probabilidad de cooperación.

Abstract The institutional framework of the National Environmental System assigns complex responsibilities to municipalities, which are often unviable in financial, technical, and operational terms. Cooperation emerges as an alternative to face the lack of resources and the inability of some municipalities to execute the guidelines provided for by the National Environmental Policy in an isolated way. This research examines the relationship between intermunicipal cooperation and municipal state capacities in the implementation of the environmental policy in Brazil, aiming to identify if state capacity, in different dimensions, is a relevant characteristic for municipalities participating in environmental public consortiums. This research used secondary data to employ a quantitative approach through logistic regression analysis, investigating the occurrence of intermunicipal cooperative arrangements in 4.479 Brazilian municipalities. In general terms, the results demonstrate that high administrative capacity and greater fiscal performance tend to reduce the incentives for the municipality to cooperate with others while implementing the PNMA at the local level. Also, the findings indicate that the availability of technical, political-relational, and institutional capacity increases the probability of cooperation.

Valoración del servicio ecosistémico regulación hídrica en el Piedemonte Amazónico, Caquetá, Colombia / Evaluation of the ecosystem service protection of water sources in Amazon Piedemont, Caquetá, Colombia

RESUMEN Belén de los Andaquíes, Caquetá, ubicado en el piedemonte amazónico, es reconocido como municipio verde de Colombia, por su riqueza hídrica y paisajística. Es una zona con experiencia y potencial en la instauración de pagos por servicios ambientales PSA, como instrumento económico para incentivar la conservación de bosques, en la zona de influencia directa a la quebrada la Mono, una de las fuentes hídricas de relevancia en el suministro de agua, para el consumo humano en la población. Se empleó el método de valoración contingente, para hallar la disponibilidad a pagar DAP de los habitantes del área urbana, por la conservación de los bosques, para la protección del servicio ecosistémico de regulación hídrica. La DAP fue positiva y esto evidencia que la comunidad puede experimentar aumentos en el bienestar económico, a raíz de una medida de protección ambiental. Existe viabilidad económica y relevancia social al implementar estos instrumentos de política ambiental, para proteger servicios ecosistémicos importantes, en la mitigación y en la adaptación al cambio climático.

ABSTRACT Belén de los Andaquíes, Caquetá, located in the Amazon piedmont, is recognized as a green municipality of Colombia, for its wealth of water and landscapes. It is an area with experience and potential in the establishment of payments for environmental services PES, as an economic instrument to encourage the conservation of forests in the area of direct influence of the Mono stream, one of the most important sources of water for human consumption in the population. The contingent valuation method was used to find the willingness to pay WTPs of the inhabitants of the urban area for the conservation of forests for the protection of the ecosystem service of water regulation. The WTP was positive value, and this is evidence that the community can experience increases in economic welfare as a result of an environmental protection measure. There is economic viability and social relevance in implementing these environmental policy instruments to protect ecosystem services important for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Wealth and Education Influences on Spatial Pattern of Tree Planting in a Tropical Metropolis in Brazil.

Green infrastructure, and specifically urban afforestation, is one of the most important activities of city management today, because of the multitude of ecosystem services it provides. The pattern of tree planting in urban areas is related to age, ethnicity, education, and household income. Unfortunately, this issue has not been evaluated, nor has it received significant subsidized governmental actions, funding, study, or public policies in large tropical cities in developing countries. Thus, we aimed to investigate if there was a pattern of urban afforestation related by socio-territorial inequalities, in the city of São Paulo, or if there was a relationship between the number of seedlings planted over the past 4 years and zoning, socioeconomic, health, and environment variables in the neighborhoods of São Paulo, as well as to evaluate the ecosystem services provided by the planted species. Our results showed that tree planting was not oriented to increase cover of less-vegetated areas of the city and where more respiratory diseases have been registered. In fact, the number of seedlings planted over the past 4 years was very influenced by socioeconomic status of inhabitants. In this sense, wealth and education proved to be a better predictor than zoning, health, and environmental variables for the tree planting. Finally, our results reveal that supporting, provision, and cultural functions and services are being provided to São Paulo city by the selected woody species. In Sao Paulo, urban afforestation must extend to the neighborhoods that need the services the most.

Implantação de usinas hidrelétricas em Santa Catarina: impactos na saúde da população atingida / Implementation of hydroelectric plants in Santa Catarina: impacts on the health of the affected population

RESUMO A construção de usinas hidrelétricas causa modificações no ambiente alterando o território, e impactando nas políticas públicas locais. As transformações ocorrem no contexto social, cultural e de saúde da população. O objetivo do estudo é analisar os impactos na saúde ocasionados pela construção de usinas hidrelétricas. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo com a utilização de uma matriz de saúde ambiental como instrumento para coleta e análise de dados. Os dados são relativos ao período de cinco anos anteriores, que correspondem ao período de construção e posteriores à construção das usinas. A pontuação obtida no estudo por meio da matriz de saúde indicou que as usinas hidrelétricas apresentam severo impacto à saúde, considerando as condições locais ambientais, socioeconômicas e a potencial frequência de incremento ou surgimento de doenças. Os períodos correspondentes aos anos de construção e após a instalação das usinas hidrelétricas são os que apresentaram maior impacto negativo na saúde.

ABSTRACT The construction of hydroelectric plants causes changes in the environment, changing the territory, and impacting local public policies. Transformations occur in the social, cultural and health context of the population. The objective of the study is to analyze the health impacts caused by the construction of hydroelectric plants. This is a quantitative study using an environmental health matrix as an instrument for data collection and analysis. The data are for the period of five years prior, which correspond to the period of construction and after the construction of the plants. The score obtained in the study through the health matrix indicated that hydroelectric power plants have a severe impact on health, considering local environmental, socioeconomic conditions and the potential frequency of increase or appearance of diseases. The periods corresponding to the years of construction and after the installation of hydroelectric plants are those that had the greatest negative impact on health.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Northeast of Mexico City: Strategy for Monitoring and Prevalence of COVID-19.

A month-long wastewater sampling project was conducted along the northeast periphery of Mexico City, specifically in the state of Hidalgo, to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2. To determine the prevalence of infection and obtain a range of COVID-19 cases in the main metropolitan zones. Viral RNA residues (0-197,655 copies/L) were measured in wastewater from the five central municipalities in the state. By recording the number of RNA viral copies per liter, micro-basins delimitation, demographic and physiological data, an interval of infected people and virus prevalence was estimated using a Monte Carlo model (with 90% confidence) in the micro-basin of five municipalities with metropolitan influence or industrial activity. Our procedure determined that the percentage of the infected population ranges from 1.4% to 41.7%, while the official data reports 0.1-0.3%. This model is proposed as a helpful method of regional epidemiological monitoring through the analysis of viral prevalence.

Educational hazards? The politics of disaster risk education in Rio de Janeiro.

Disaster education outcomes are highly dependent on the political context of that education. Based on a rich, in-depth case study of the creation of community monitors in a landslide and flood-prone city in southeast Brazil, this paper demonstrates how developmental and political environments add much additional nuance to existing theories of behaviourist and transformative education for disaster preparedness and mitigation. Beyond identifying the benefits of education, it argues that disaster risk reduction outcomes are reliant on governance frameworks that alter over time. The study reveals the political complexity associated with programme implementation and cites the perspectives of a number of participants. Disaster education is shown to be the necessary yet underappreciated twin of the militarised and technical approaches that dominate disaster response in Brazil. Understated, however, is education's situatedness: how it can become an arena of conflict between government and civil actors over matters of state and society in increasingly hazardous urbanisation settings in Latin America.

Bioética ambiental en perspectiva latinoamericana / Environmental Bioethics in a Latin American perspective / Bioética ambiental em perspectiva latino-americana

Resumen: El presente escrito desarrolla una búsqueda de los postulados ambientales inherentes al cuerpo epistemológico de la bioética, a partir de los escritos fundantes de dicho campo de estudio. Se incorporan en esa iniciativa bioeticistas latinoamericanos que hacia finales del siglo XX, a instancias de la Cumbre de la Tierra de 1992, promueven una bioética comprometida con una nueva convivencia con los ecosistemas. La metodología consistió en una revisión documental bajo el enfoque cualitativo en perspectiva hermenéutica, que incluyó la aplicación de programas para análisis de coocurrencia de campos semánticos. El periodo de revisión abarcó de 1970 a 2017, época en la cual se produjeron importantes informes a nivel mundial sobre la problemática ambiental. Como conclusión se obtuvo que en el ámbito de la bioética ambiental se consolidan postulados orientados a la defensa de la vida en cualquiera de sus expresiones biodiversas; la interdependencia de personas sanas en armonía con ecosistemas sanos; la estructuración de reglas ambientales para la adecuada interrelación entre áreas urbanas y zonas boscosas; y la promoción de la producción industrial y el consumo a escala humana, sin afectación de los entornos naturales.

Abstract: The present document develops a search for environmental postulates inherent in the epistemological body of bioethics, based on the founding writings of such field of study. Latin American bioethicists are incorporated into this initiative which by the end of the XX century, at the behest of the 1992 Earth Summit, promote bioethics committed to a new coexistence with ecosystems. The methodology involved a documentary review under the qualitative approach with a hermeneutic perspective, which included the implementation of programs for concurrency analysis of semantic fields. The review period covered the period between 1970 to 2017, during which there were important global reports on environmental issues. In conclusion, it was determined that in the field environmental bioethics, postulates are consolidated oriented to the defense of life in any of its biodiverse expressions; the interdependence of healthy people in harmony with healthy ecosystems; structuring environmental rules for the proper interrelationship between urban areas and forested areas; and the promotion of industrial production and consumption on a human scale, without affectation of natural environments.

Resumo: O presente texto desenvolve uma busca pelos postulados ambientais inerentes ao corpo epistemológico da bioética, a partir dos escritos fundadores desse campo de estudo. Incorporam-se nessa iniciativa bioeticistas latino-americanos que no final do século XX, por conta da Conferência Rio-92, promovem uma bioética comprometida com uma nova convivência com os ecossistemas. A metodologia consistiu numa revisão documental sob o enfoque qualitativo em perspectiva hermenêutica, que incluiu a aplicação de programas para a análise de coocorrência de campos semânticos. O período de revisão abarcou de 1970 a 2017, época na qual se produziram importantes relatórios a nível mundial sobre a problemática ambiental. Como conclusão, obteve-se que no âmbito da bioética ambiental se consolidam postulados orientados à defesa da vida em qualquer de suas expressões biodiversas; a interdependência de pessoas sãs em harmonia com ecossistemas sãos; a estruturação de regras ambientais para a adequada inter-relação entre áreas urbanas e zonas arborizadas; e a promoção da produção industrial e do consumo em escala humana, sem afetação dos meios naturais.

Large-scale environmental policy change: analysis of the Brazilian reality / Cambio de gran escala en la política ambiental: análisis de la realidad brasileña / Mudança de larga escala na política ambiental: análise da realidade brasileira

Abstract The Brazilian presidential elections of 2018 brought large-scale changes in the Brazilian environmental policy subsystem. The purpose of this article is to analyze these changes through the lenses of the Advocacy Coalition Framework - ACF. First, we introduced some of the main characteristics of this subsystem, then we presented a hemerographic analysis to describe and analyze the effects of four recent shocks in this subsystem. Two of these shocks were external: (i) the election of a new political elite in power that brought a clear discourse of denial of the relevance of environmental policy and (ii) calamitous environmental events that occurred in Brazil in 2019. The other two shocks were internal: (i) the capture of key positions and resources by dominant coalition members and (ii) the rise of conflict and polarization among the coalitions in the subsystem. The results showed: (i) the rise of a hyper-adversarial environmental policy subsystem; (ii) a realignment between non-dominant coalitions in a cooperative direction; (iii) the imposition of clear barriers to negotiation; (iv) changes in the use of scientific information by more politicized discourses with a high degree of bias. The article contributes to the understanding of the processes of institutional change in environmental policy, especially in contexts of large-scale change generated by increasing electoral polarization and fierce political disputes. It also contributes to the analysis of the limits and possibilities of the ACF in the Brazilian environmental agenda.

Resumen Las elecciones presidenciales brasileñas de 2018 introdujeron cambios de gran escala en el subsistema de política ambiental del país. El propósito de este documento es analizar estos cambios a través de las lentes del Advocacy Coalition Framework - ACF. Para ello, exponemos algunas de las características principales de este subsistema y, luego, presentamos un análisis hemerográfico para describir y analizar los efectos de cuatro shocks recientes en este subsistema. Dos de estos shocks fueron externos: (i) el ascenso de una nueva élite política al poder, la cual ha traído un claro discurso de negación de la relevancia de la política ambiental y (ii) catastróficos eventos ambientales que ocurrieron en Brasil durante 2019. Otros dos shocks fueron internos: (i) la captura de posiciones y recursos claves por los miembros de la coalición dominante y (ii) el surgimiento de conflictos y polarizaciones entre las coaliciones del subsistema. Los resultados mostraron: (i) el ascenso de un subsistema de política ambiental hipercontradictorio; (ii) el realineamiento de las coaliciones no dominantes en una dirección cooperativa; (iii) la imposición de claras barreras en los procesos de negociación; y (iv) cambios en el uso de información científica por discursos más politizados con un alto grado de sesgo. Este artículo contribuye a la comprensión de los procesos de cambio institucional en la política ambiental, especialmente en contextos de cambios de gran escala generados por un aumento en la polarización electoral e intensas disputas políticas. También contribuye al análisis de los límites y posibilidades del ACF en la agenda ambiental brasileña.

Resumo As eleições presidenciais brasileiras de 2018 trouxeram mudanças em larga escala no subsistema de política ambiental do país. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar essas mudanças através do Advocacy Coalition Framework - ACF. Para isso, introduzimos algumas das principais características do subsistema de política ambiental e, a seguir, apresentamos uma análise hemerográfica para descrever e analisar os efeitos de quatro choques recentes no subsistema em análise. Dois desses choques foram externos: (i) a ascensão ao poder de uma nova elite política que trouxe um discurso claro de negação da relevância da política ambiental e (ii) eventos ambientais calamitosos que ocorreram no Brasil em 2019. Dois outros choques foram internos: (i) a captura de posições e recursos importantes pelos membros da coalizão dominante e (ii) o surgimento de conflitos e polarizações entre as coalizões no subsistema. Os resultados mostraram: (i) a ascensão de um subsistema hiper-contraditório; (ii) o realinhamento entre coalizões não dominantes em direção à cooperação; (iii) a imposição de barreiras claras à negociação; e (iv) mudanças no uso da informação científica por discursos mais politizados com alto grau de viés. O artigo contribui para a compreensão dos processos de mudança institucional na política ambiental, especialmente em contextos de mudança em larga escala gerados pelo aumento da polarização eleitoral e intensas disputas políticas. Contribui também para a análise dos limites e possibilidades do ACF na agenda ambiental brasileira.

Emerging threats linking tropical deforestation and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tropical deforestation drivers are complex and can change rapidly in periods of profound societal transformation, such as those during a pandemic. Evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred illegal, opportunistic forest clearing in tropical countries, threatening forest ecosystems and their resident human communities. A total of 9583 km2 of deforestation alerts from Global Land Analysis & Discovery (GLAD) were detected across the global tropics during the first month following the implementation of confinement measures of local governments to reduce COVID-19 spread, which is nearly double that of 2019 (4732 km2). We present a conceptual framework linking tropical deforestation and the current pandemic. Zoonotic diseases, public health, economy, agriculture, and forests may all be reciprocally linked in complex positive and negative feedback loops with overarching consequences. We highlight the emerging threats to nature and society resulting from this complex reciprocal interplay and possible policy interventions that could minimize these threats.

Environmental Impacts and Policy Responses to Covid-19: A View from Latin America.

COVID-19 is currently having major short run effects with possible serious long run implications for the environment and the management of natural resources in Latin America. We discuss the possible effects of the pandemic on air pollution, deforestation and other relevant environmental dimensions across the region. With contributions from environmental economists from eight countries, we give an overview of the initial and expected environmental effects of this health crisis. We discuss potential effects on environmental regulations, possible policy interventions, and an agenda for future research for those interested in the design and evaluation of environmental policies relevant for the Latin American context.

"Córrego de Ubaranas": possíveis caminhos à uma comunidade educadora e emancipadora / "Córrego de Ubaranas": possible ways to an educating and emancipating community / "Córrego de Ubaranas": posibles caminos a una comunidad educadora y emancipadora / ”Córrego de Ubaranas": quels chemins possibles pour une communauté éducatrice et émancipatrice

Fruto das vivências de construção das cartografias socioculturais, histórico-geográficas, patrimoniais e (especialmente) afetivas na Comunidade de Remanescentes Quilombolas do Córrego de Ubaranas, este trabalho integrou o Projeto "Duas Fendas: Patrimônio, Cultura e Consciência Biocêntrica" (MEC/Sesu - PROEXT 2013) e o Programa "Cidade Educadora: por uma educação patrimonial libertadora" (PREX/UFC 2014 e MEC/Sesu - PROEXT 2015). Utilizamos o método da observação participante em conjunto com a escuta de narrativas e entrevistas abertas, registros em diários de campo, registros fotográficos e a realização de Rodas de Conversa e Círculos de Cultura. Objetivamos o cuidado primordial com as relações intergeracionais, intercomunitárias e intersetoriais. A gestão das comunidades não deve se restringir apenas aos procedimentos burocráticos evidenciados pelo Estado. Em cada localidade, a superação da crise ambiental não está na criação de novos moldes, mas sim na elaboração e familiaridade com as incertezas advindas de um compromisso simbólico e vivencial de busca sustentável.

As a result of the experiences of building socio-cultural, historical-geographical, patrimonial and (especially) affective cartographies in the Quilombola Remaining Community of the Ubaranas Stream, this work integrated the "Two Crevices: Heritage, Culture and BiocentricConsciousness" PROEXT 2013) and the program "Educating City: for a liberating heritage education" (PREX / UFC 2014 and MEC / Sesu - PROEXT 2015). We used the method of participant observation in conjunction with listening to narratives and open interviews, records in field journals, photographic records and the holding of Conversation Wheels and Culture Circles. We aim for primary care with intergenerational, intercommunity and intersectoral relations. The management of communities should not be restricted only to bureaucratic procedures evidenced by the State. In each locality, overcoming the environmental crisis is not in the creation of new molds, but in the elaboration and familiarity with the uncertainties arising from a symbolic and experiential commitment of sustainable search.

Fruto de las vivencias de construcción de lascartografíassocioculturales, histórico-geográficas, patrimoniales y (especialmente) afectivasenlaComunidad de Remanentes Quilombolas delCorriente de Ubaranas, este trabajointegróelProyecto Dos Fendas: Patrimonio, Cultura y ConcienciaBiocéntrica(MEC/Sesu - PROEXT 2013) y el Programa "Ciudad Educadora: por una educación patrimonial liberadora" (PREX/UFC 2014 e MEC/Sesu - PROEXT 2015). Utilizamos el método de laobservación participante en conjunto conlaescucha de narrativas y entrevistas abiertas, registros endiarios de campo, registros fotográficos y larealización de Ruedas de Charla y Círculos de Cultura. Objetivamos el cuidado primordial conlas relaciones intergeneracionales, intercomunitarias e intersectoriales. La gestión de las comunidades no deberestringirsesólo a losprocedimientos burocráticos evidenciados por el Estado. En cada localidad, lasuperación de lacrisis ambiental no está enlacreación de nuevos moldes, sino enlaelaboración y familiaridadconlasincertidumbres surgidas de uncompromiso simbólico y vivencial de búsquedasostenible.

Fruit des expériences au sein desquelles ont été élaborées des cartographies socio-culturelles, historiques et géographiques, patrimoniales et (surtout) affectives, dans la Communauté de Remanescentes Quilombola du Córrego de Ubaranas, ce travail s'inscrit dans le cadre du Projet "Deux Fissures: Patrimoine, Culture et Conscience Biocentrique" (MEC/Sesu - PROEXT 2013) et du Programme " La ville éducatrice : pour une éducation au patrimoine émancipatrice « (PREX/UFC 2014 et MEC/ Sesu - PROEXT 2015). Nous avons utilisé une méthode d'observation participative jointe à l'écoute de récits et d'entretiens ouverts, de notes prises sur le terrain et de registres photographiques ; nous avons également organisé des tables rondes et des cercles culturels. Notre objectif s'est en priorité attaché aux relations intergénérationnelles, intercommunautaires et intersectorielles. La gestion des communautés ne doit pas se limiter aux seules procédures bureaucratiques mises en avant par l'État. Dans chaque localité, surmonter la crise environnementale ne consiste pas à créer de nouveaux modèles, mais à élaborer, à se familiariser avec les incertitudes découlant d'un engagement symbolique et expérimental dans la recherche de la durabilité.

Strengths and Weaknesses of a Hybrid Post-disaster Management Approach: the Doce River (Brazil) Mine-Tailing Dam Burst.

Mine-tailing dam bursts occur frequently with attendant implications for the environment and human populations. Institutional preparedness for such events plays an important role in their lasting impact. This study analyzes the stakeholder engagement in the new governance framework created to recover the Doce River ecosystem following the 2015 disaster, where 34 million m3 of tailings were released, killing 19 people and causing massive impacts on riverine life. Following the disaster, poorly conceived political and management decisions impeded and continue to impede the progress of ecosystem recovery. The post-event management structure shows a centralized and poorly diverse stakeholder pool. We conclude that poor governance structure, and weak law enforcement, are among the main reasons preventing the Doce River post-disaster watershed recovery. A watershed vulnerability analysis combining dam stability and socioeconomic data, concluded that low ratings of socioeconomic performance substantially increase basin vulnerability. We recommend that the watershed committee should be fully involved in the implementation of the program and take a central role so that the most vulnerable communities (including indigenous people) take ownership of ecosystem recovery.

Shared ways of thinking in Brazil about the science-practice interface in ecology and conservation.

The debate in the literature on the science-practice interface suggests a diversity of opinions on how to link science and practice to improve conservation. Understanding this diversity is key to addressing unequal power relations, avoiding the consideration of only dominant views, and identifying strategies to link science and practice. In turn, linking science and practice should promote conservation decisions that are socially robust and scientifically informed. To identify and describe the viewpoints of scientists and decision makers on how the science-practice interface should work in order to improve conservation decisions, we interviewed Brazilian scientists (ecologists and conservation scientists, n = 11) and decision makers (n = 11). We used Q methodology and asked participants to rank their agreement with 48 statements on how the science-practice interface should work in order to improve conservation decisions. We used principal component analysis to identify shared viewpoints. The predominant viewpoint, shared by scientists and decision makers, was characterized by valuing the integration of scientific and strategic knowledge to address environmental problems. The second viewpoint, held mostly by decision makers, was distinguished by assigning great importance to science in the decision-making process and calling for problem-relevant research. The third viewpoint, shared only by scientists, was characterized by an unwillingness to collaborate and a perception of scientists as producers of knowledge that may help decision makers. Most participants agreed organizations should promote collaboration and that actors and knowledge from both science and practice are relevant. Disagreements concerned specific roles assigned to actors, willingness to collaborate, and organizational and institutional arrangements considered effective to link science and practice. Our results suggest there is ample room for collaborations and that impediments lie mainly in existing organizations and formal institutional arrangements rather than in negative attitudes between scientists and decision makers.

Formas de Pensar Compartidas en Brasil sobre la Interrelación Ciencia-Práctica en la Ecología y la Conservación Resumen El debate en la literatura sobre la interrelación ciencia-práctica sugiere una diversidad de opiniones sobre cómo conectar a la ciencia con la práctica para mejorar la conservación. La comprensión de esta diversidad es clave para tratar con las relaciones desiguales de poder, evitar la considerar únicamente de los puntos de vista dominantes, e identificar las estrategias para vincular a la ciencia con la práctica. En cambio, la vinculación entre la ciencia y la práctica debería promover las decisiones de conservación que son socialmente fuertes y científicamente informadas. Entrevistamos a científicos (ecólogos y conservadores, n = 11) y tomadores de decisiones (n = 11) en Brasil para identificar y describir los puntos de vista de los científicos y de quienes toman las decisiones sobre cómo la interrelación ciencia-práctica debería trabajar con tal de mejorar las decisiones de conservación. Usamos la metodología Q y les pedimos a los participantes que clasificaran su acuerdo con 48 declaraciones sobre cómo la interrelación ciencia-práctica debería trabajar para mejorar las decisiones de conservación. Utilizamos un análisis de componentes principales para identificar los puntos de vista compartidos. El punto de vista predominante, compartido entre los científicos y quienes toman las decisiones, se caracterizó por el valor que le dio a la integración del conocimiento científico y el estratégico para tratar los problemas ambientales. El segundo punto de vista, compartido por la mayoría de quienes toman las decisiones, se distinguió por asignarle una gran importancia a la ciencia en cuanto al proceso de toma de decisiones y a la petición de investigación relevante para los problemas. El tercer punto de vista, compartido sólo entre los científicos, se caracterizó por el rechazo a colaborar y por la percepción de los científicos como productores de conocimiento que puede ayudar a quienes toman las decisiones. La mayoría de los participantes estuvo de acuerdo en que las organizaciones deberían promover la colaboración y en que los actores y el conocimiento científico y práctico son relevantes. Los desacuerdos estuvieron relacionados con los roles específicos asignados a los actores, el deseo de colaborar, y los arreglos institucionales y de organización considerados como efectivos para vincular a la ciencia con la práctica. Nuestros resultados sugieren que existe suficiente espacio para las colaboraciones y que los impedimentos se deben principalmente a las organizaciones existentes y a los arreglos institucionales formales en lugar de a las actitudes negativas entre los científicos y quienes toman las decisiones.

Pharmaceutical market, environmental public policies and water quality: the case of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, Brazil / Mercado farmacêutico, políticas públicas ambientais e qualidade da água: o caso da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil / Mercado farmacéutico, políticas públicas ambientales y calidad del agua: el caso de la Región Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract: Water pollution has been an increasing concern for the authorities responsible for planning and executing public policies. In this qualitative research, we have discussed the most sold pharmaceuticals in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, Brazil, and compared public policies focused on pharmaceuticals and environmental issues among countries/regions. For that, data provided by Close-Up International related to the sales of medicines in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region between April/2016 and April/2017 were collected and processed to identify and quantify the pharmaceutical products. The 300 most sold medicines in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region fall in 26 therapeutic classes, which include 159 drugs. The most sold pharmaceutical products group is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) representing approximately 44.3% of the total. The ten most sold pharmaceuticals sum up 1200 tons. Dipyrone is the first place in mass representing around 488 tons, followed by metformin with around 310 tons commercialized. Public policies focused on pharmaceuticals in the environment still need adjustments to improve reinforcement, even in developed countries. There is no international standard on how to conduct the issue, each country adopting the public policy that best matches to the local. Brazil, despite having some legislation that approaches the theme, still lacks effective public policies and stakeholder awareness. In this aspect, the need for improvement of the reverse logistics system, consumer orientation to the adequate disposal of unused/expired medicines, and the adoption of the unit-dose system as a therapeutic strategy is evident.

Resumo: A poluição da água tem preocupado cada vez mais as autoridades responsáveis pelo planejamento e execução das políticas públicas no Brasil. Esta pesquisa qualitativa discute os produtos farmacêuticos mais vendidos na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil, e compara as políticas públicas focadas em produtos farmacêuticos e questões ambientais, entre países e regiões. Foram coletados e processados os dados fornecidos pela Close-Up International sobre vendas de medicamentos na Grande São Paulo entre abril de 2016 e abril de 2017, para identificar e quantificar esses produtos. Os 300 medicamentos mais vendidos na Grande São Paulo pertencem a 26 classes terapêuticas e incluem 159 fármacos. Os produtos farmacêuticos mais vendidos pertencem ao grupo dos anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (AINES), representando aproximadamente 44,3% do total. Os dez produtos farmacêuticos mais vendidos somam 1.200 toneladas. A dipirona liderou o ranking em termos de massa, com cerca de 488 toneladas, seguida pela metformina, com 310 toneladas comercializadas. As políticas públicas focadas nos produtos farmacêuticos e sua presença no meio ambiente ainda requerem ajustes, mesmo nos países desenvolvidos. Não existe uma norma internacional para lidar com essa questão, e cada país adota a política pública mais adequada para o contexto local. O Brasil já dispõe de alguma legislação sobre o tema, mas ainda faltam políticas públicas efetivas e uma melhor conscientização dos atores envolvidos. Portanto, há uma necessidade evidente de melhorar o sistema de logística reversa, com orientação dos consumidores em relação ao descarte adequado dos medicamentos não utilizados ou vencidos e a adoção do sistema de dose unitária como estratégia terapêutica.

Resumen: La contaminación del agua ha sido una creciente preocupación para las autoridades responsables de planificar y ejecutar políticas públicas. Esta investigación cualitativa trata sobre los productos farmacéuticos más vendidos en la Región Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil, y además compara las políticas públicas centradas en cuestiones farmacéuticas y ambientales entre países/regiones. En este sentido, los datos proporcionados por Close-Up International, relacionados con las ventas de medicinas en la Región Metropolitana de São Paulo entre abril/2016 y abril/2017, se recogieron y presentaron para identificar y cuantificar los productos farmacéuticos. Las 300 medicinas más vendidas en la Región Metropolitana de São Paulo se incluyeron en 26 clases terapéuticas, que incluyeron 159 medicamentos. El grupo de productos farmacéuticos más vendido es el de los medicamentos antiinflamatorios no esteroides (AINE), representando aproximadamente un 44,3% del total. Los 10 productos farmacéuticos más vendidos llegaron a alcanzar las 1.200 toneladas. La dipirona está en primer lugar, alrededor de 488 toneladas, a la que le sigue la metformina con cerca de 310 toneladas comercializadas. Las políticas públicas centradas en productos farmacéuticos y medioambiente todavía necesitan ajustes para mejorar su fortalecimiento, incluso en los países desarrollados. No existe un estándar internacional sobre cómo gestionar este asunto, cada país adopta las políticas públicas que mejor se ajustan a su entorno. Brasil, a pesar de contar con algo de legislación que se centra en esta cuestión, todavía adolece de políticas públicas efectivas, así como una falta de sensibilización de los agentes responsables. En este aspecto, es evidente la necesidad de mejorar el sistema de logística inversa, así como la orientación al consumidor para desechar adecuadamente las medicinas no usadas/caducadas, y la adopción de un sistema de dosis unitarias como estrategia terapéutica.

Estándares internacionales de contabilidad a la luz de los requerimientos de su aplicación en la gestión ambiental / International accounting standards in the light of the requirements for their application in environmental management / Normas internacionais de contabilidade à luz dos requisitos da sua aplicação na gestão ambiental

Resumen Introducción: Actualmente la contabilidad financiera en las organizaciones empresariales se ha visto influenciada por la presencia de la gestión ambiental, en virtud de ello, las compañías centran su atención en realizar registros contables que permitan la medición y valoración de operaciones concernientes al ecosistema, obteniendo una contabilidad apegada a las normas y reglamentos establecidos para tal fin. Objetivo: Analizar los estándares internacionales de contabilidad a la luz de los requerimientos de su aplicación en la gestión ambiental. Materiales y métodos: El recurso metodológico utilizado es el positivista cuantitativo de campo, aplicando un cuestionario autoadministrado estructurado, formalizado y estandarizado con escala tipo Likert a siete contadores públicos y siete gerentes de gestión ambiental que se desempeñan en empresas extractivas de minerales no metálicos; con permisología del Ministerio del Poder Popular para el Ambiente en la región andina del estado Trujillo de Venezuela. Resultados: Se identificó que las empresas analizadas se rigen por lo establecido por la FCCPV, en lo referente a los principios generales de contabilidad, además se detectó que estas organizaciones no contemplan las normas internacionales, igualmente, se puede inferir que la mayoría de estas empresas se apegan a lo señalado en la LOA. Conclusión: A pesar de que existen regulaciones del Estado venezolano y para la profesión de la contaduría en materia ambiental, se evidencian ciertas debilidades en sus estados financieros en el tratamiento de los hechos de impacto ambiental ocasionados por la actividad económica, lo cual limita su responsabilidad para con el medio ambiente.

Abstract Introduction: Currently, financial accounting in business organizations has been influenced by the presence of environmental management, in virtue of which companies focus their attention on making accounting records that allow the measurement and valuation of operations concerning the ecosystem, obtaining their accounting in accordance with the rules and regulations established for that purpose. Objective: Analyze international accounting standards in light of the requirements for their application in environmental management. Materials and methods: The methodological resource used is the quantitative and positivist field research, applying a structured, self-administered questionnaire, formalized and standardized with a Likert scale, to 7 public accountants and 7 managers of Environmental Management who work in extractive non-metallic mineral companies; with permission from the Ministry of Popular Power for the Environment in the Andean region of the Trujillo State of Venezuela. Results: It was identified that the analyzed companies are governed by the provisions of the FCCPV, in relation to the General Accounting Principles. It was also detected that these organizations do not observe the International Accounting Standards, and it can also be inferred that the majority of these companies adhere to the provisions of the LOA. Conclusion: Although there are regulations of the Venezuelan State and for the accounting profession in environmental matters in particular, certain weaknesses are evidenced in its financial statements regarding the treatment of environmental impact events caused by economic activity, which limits the profession's responsibility towards the environment.

Resumo Introdução: Atualmente a contabilidade financeira nas organizações empresariais tem se visto influenciada pela presencia da gestão ambiental, em virtude disso, as companhias centram sua atenção em realizar cadastros contáveis que permitam a medição e valoração de operações concernentes ao ecossistema, obtendo uma contabilidade ligada as normas e regramentos estabelecidos para tal fim. Objetivo: Analisar as normas internacionais de contabilidade à luz dos requisitos de sua aplicação na gestão ambiental. Materiais e métodos: O recurso metodológico utilizado é o positivista quantitativo de campo, aplicando um questionário auto administrado estruturado, formalizado e padronizado com escala tipo Likert a sete contadores públicos e sete gerentes de gestão ambiental que se desempenham em empresas extrativas de minerais não-metálicos; com permissão do Ministério do Poder Popular para o Ambiente na região andina do estado Trujillo de Venezuela. Resultados: Se identificou que as empresas analisadas se regem pelo estabelecido pela FCCPV, no referente aos princípios gerais de contabilidade, além se detectou que estas organizações não contemplam as normas internacionais, igualmente, se pode inferir que a maioria de estas empresas ficam ligadas ao sinalado na LOA. Conclusão: A pesar de que existem regulações do Estado venezuelano e para a profissão da contadoria em matéria ambiental, se evidenciam certas debilidades em seus estados financeiros no tratamento dos fatos de impacto ambiental ocasionados pela atividade económica, o qual limita sua responsabilidade para com o meio ambiente.

Lineamientos de política pública para la gestión del agua en el municipio de Filandia-Quindío / Public policy guidelines for the management of water in the Municipality of Filandia, Quindio

El presente artículo presenta de manera detallada los resultados de la investigación sobre una propuesta de lineamientos de política pública para el municipio de Filandia-Quindío. El trabajo tuvo como objetivo general proponer lineamientos de política pública para la gestión del agua en el municipio de Filandia, para lo cual se estableció como pregunta de investigación ¿fueron las acciones de la administración pública municipal, departamental y de la autoridad ambiental para la gestión del agua en el municipio de Filandia durante el periodo 2008-2015 beneficiosas para el interés general de la población y de los ecosistemas estratégicos en el ciclo del agua? La metodología que se usó fue tipo cualitativa, se buscó y analizó información primaria y secundaria, mediante técnicas documentales y grupo focal. Los resultados obtenidos son la caracterización y diagnóstico de políticas públicas tendientes a la gestión del agua y la elaboración de cuatro lineamientos de política pública para la gestión del agua en el municipio de Filandia. Como conclusiones se tiene que hubo acciones, pero fueron poco efectivas evidenciado por las problemáticas existentes; no hay armonización de políticas en el orden nacional, departamental y municipal; insuficientes predios para la conservación; potencial hídrico manifestado en el abastecimiento de agua a varias poblaciones vecinas y la necesidad de los lineamientos como insumo para la gestión del agua.

This paper presents in detail the results of the research on a proposal of public policy for the Municipality of Filandia, Quindio. The objective of the research was to propose public policy guidelines for water management in the Municipality of Filandia, for which a research question was established as follows: Were the actions of the municipal, and the departmental administration and of the environmental authority beneficial for the general interest of the population and of the strategic ecosystems in the water cycle for the management of water in the Municipality of Filandia during the period 2008-2015? The methodology used was qualitative and primary and secondary information using documentary techniques and focus group was sought and analyzed. The results obtained are the characterization and diagnosis of public policies aimed at the management of water and the elaboration of four public policy guidelines for water management in the Municipality of Filandia. It can be concluded that there were actions, but they were ineffective which is evidenced by the existing problems: there is no harmonization of policies at the national, departmental and municipal order; there are insufficient properties for conservation; water potential manifested in the supply of water to various neighboring populations; and the need for guidelines as an input for the management of water.